Taco John's franchise celebrating 50 years

The franchise is reaching a milestone this year, and the Thermopolis location is celebrating with a trivia week July 1-7, during which people can come in and answer questions for a free koozie. Following the trivia week, the restaurant will have weekly deals through Aug. 18.

Taco John’s history dates back to 1968 when a small taco stand opened in Cheyenne. It was a hit, and two local businessmen — Harold Holmes and James Woodson — purchased the franchise rights in 1969 and named the restaurant Taco John’s, after the man who opened that first taco stand, John Turner.

Turner started his stand, “Taco House,” after being stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne and serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.

Taco John’s restaurants soon began popping up all over the Midwest, evolving to include drive-thrus, interior seating and original menu items.

They even coined the original Taco Tuesday value day, trademarking it in 1989. The current Thermopolis location opened in November, 2006.

Today, Taco John’s operates and franchises close to 400 restaurants in 23 states, making it one of the largest Mexican quick-service restaurant brands in America, and it continues to grow.

Keep an eye out for ads in the Thermopolis Independent Record in the coming weeks for information on the restaurant’s weekly specials.